Profile Evaluation - Chance For Top 10 Schools

[iamlilt]

Hi,

I'm going to apply Fall 2011 2-year MBA program soon. I was hoping if I can get your thoughts on my chances for top 10 MBA programs (namely HBS, MIT, Kellogg, etc). Below are details of my profile.

I'm 27/M Asian (Chinese), with 1.5 years of working experience. English is my second language. My family and I immigrated to US 10 years ago and I have become a U.S citizen 2 years ago.

I work oversea, used to be in China but now Vietnam, for a world's top 3 shoe manufacture company. Currently I'm in charge of the QA department in one of company's factories, managing 150 people as well as being the QA window person for our factory client (Namely Nike).

In my first year in China, after finishing my training phase, I was assigned to be the leader of a QA project team (11 people), as well as the project window person for our China factory client (Namely New Balance). The goal of the projects is usually quality improvement or efficiency improvement.

Soon I was reassigned to a new project, which is to bring all the successful projects I have done over the year in China factory to Vietnam factory and implement them there in 1 month. There were some obstacles and complications, but eventually I succeed and got a promotion (Faster than people got in the company 6 month before me).

I was relocated to Vietnam factory after 1 year and 3 month in China factory, 1 month after I implemented the projects. Though my original objective of relocation was to implement more projects, but during the factory client transition (NB to Nike), I was assigned to be the QA department head leader after the transition. I'm the youngest QA department head among the factories in my company.

I'm looking forward to expand my leadership and management skills in the MBA program. Also, I'm looking at a career in manufacture industry (preferably shoe industry) post my MBA, continuing my path, though I'm more interested in the finical field and would probably join if I'm offered with an opportunity.

Education:

Bachelor in Economics, graduated from Northern Illinois University in Illinois in 2008.
GPA 2.7 (I partied all the way)
GMAT - 690 (Q50, V34)

I rarely have any co-curricular and extra-curricular activities (thanks to Chinese culture), but I was a basketball team leader in high school (Does this even count?) and a member of a student association, in which I helped to plan events and charities.

Strength:
- I believe my working experience shows strong leadership experience.
- Muti-culture experience (western style schooling (me) meets Chinese management culture and Vietnam working culture).

Weakness:
- GPA. I regretted that I partied too much and did not study at all, probably this is going to hurt me now.
- Not-so-high GMAT score. I believe I can do better next time, to 720+. (66 hours/6 days a week is exhausting btw)
- Lack of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
- English is my second language, and it shows on my GMAT that my verb skill is not good. I do read English novels on my spared time and hope to improve my English through out the time.

I would appreciate any of your thoughts on this.

Thanks and Best Regards,

Terrance

[mbamission]

Hi Terrance,

Thanks for writing in. You definitely have some unique overseas experience in a field that doesn't draw a ton of MBA applicants. Still there are a few weaknesses in your profile that could make a top-10 program a reach.

While some of the top programs are accepting more people with less than two years of work experience, ideally you would want to balance that out with a strong college GPA and above-median GMAT for these schools. Your 690 is within the range these schools will accept, but below the median. And as you recognize, your college performance is a weakness. You may be able to attack one of these weaknesses with a great essay and story, but at that caliber of school it will be challenging to overcome all three.

While I certainly encourage you to pick maybe one of these schools as a reach, I'd suggest you expand the breadth of schools you'd consider.

Best of luck,

Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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[iamlilt]

Thanks for replying!

About the weakness you mentioned, I actually had worked in a local insurance company for a few months before I worked in oversea, therefore I should have 2 year working experience by Sept.

GPA I can't change, just a past of me that I have to be responsible for.

GMAT I will certainly get pass 720, as you suggested.

I know it would be tough for me to get accepted in those schools, but I want to give it a try.

Thanks again.

Terrance